Qatar public transport goes green

Qatar is beefing up its green credentials with the development of the region’s first environmentally-friendly public transport system, it was reported on Monday.

Public transport operator Mowasalat has commissioned a range of battery-powered taxies and buses, as it moves to cut air pollution to support the country’s 2016 Olympics bid.

“Our leaders have a vision. To make Qatar a green country, the first to use clean energy for its entire transportation system,” business development manager Ahmad Al Ansari told UAE daily Gulf News.

“We want to improve our transport system and make it compatible with the environment, especially as Qatar is biding to host the 2016 Olympics."

According to Al Ansari, prototypes have already been produced by Chinese developer Kinglong, which is now working on improving performance before the vehicles are introduced to the streets. The company plans to patent the products for global distribution.

Currently, the prototype 36-seat battery-powered bus can reach a maximum speed of 70 kilometres per hour (kph), and can run up to 150 kilometres on a full battery, Al Ansari said.

"We have no clear timeframe, so I cannot tell exactly when the buses will be seen on the streets, but it will not be long," he said.

"We are looking at some technical aspects now, such as optimising vehicle performance, and also setting up all related services, such as special maintenance facilities and charging stations."